How Arsenal would line up with Matheus Cunha

Cameron Smith

Updated: 21 Jan 2025 22:55 GMT
4 min read

Arsenal are interested in signing Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha amid their search for a new forward.

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The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Molineux over the past few months and FootballTransfers understands that personal terms will not be an issue for a prospective Arsenal switch.

Wolves want a fee in excess of €70 million to sanction a January sale, but we have been informed that Arsenal aren’t willing to match that figure for a player who isn’t currently a transfer priority.

EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal agree Cunha terms but gap in valuation remains

However, the Gunners remain interested in signing Cunha this month and we can confirm that he is under serious consideration by the club’s hierarchy.

Although Cunha is undoubtedly a talented player, there are certainly questions over how he fits in at the Emirates Stadium.

The Brazilian is a unique player, who has thrived in a free roaming role since his arrival at Wolves in 2023.

Cunha isn’t a natural striker or a natural winger and he arguably isn’t even a natural No.10. Therefore, in some regards, he is a similar profile to Joao Felix - a player who has failed to live up his huge potential over the past few years.

Cunha typically plays as a wide attacking midfielder in Wolves’ 3-4-3 system, and given Mikel Arteta is a stickler to a 4-3-3 formation, it remains to be seen where the Brazilian would fit in.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through Arsenal’s most likely starting XI if Cunha does join the club in 2025.

© IMAGO - Arsenal want to sign Wolves forward Matheus Cunha

How Arsenal could line up with Matheus Cunha

David Raya has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers over the past few years, while Arsenal’s backline is unlikely to change.

Ben White is the club’s preferred right-back when fully fit, with William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber also favoured by Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal’s lack of a No.10 means the midfield trio of Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Thomas Partey will remain untouched, while Cunha will be deployed in an attacking role.

Bukayo Saka will keep his place on the right flank, and Cunha is set to battle for one of the remaining two attacking positions. He is equally capable of playing as a left winger, but Cunha may find himself deployed as a central striker if he joins Arsenal.

Gabriel Martinelli will therefore battle Leandro Trossard for a starting berth on the left, with the former likely to emerge victorious.